Timing Chain Cover Gasket

[singerv]

I am in the process of putting this thing back together finally and have a few questions about the gasket that is fitted between the two covers.
1. I am assuming that the gasket is the oil seal that is described in the book and the area of the cover that is not covered by the gasket itself is the area described in E. engine pg 26 #4 Apply a suitable jointing compound to the front cover........... , is that correct??
2. I am assuming that this means that the area not covered by the gasket should be covered by Gasket Sealant, is that correct?
3. The area the water pump fits into, the gasket is considerably smaller than the hole itself, I am thinking that this should be trimmed so that the pump does not draw he gasket in and distort it, is this correct??


thanks for your help,
Vince

[bitsobrits]

Vince,

I believe the gasket you have is for a crossflow motor, not a Twin Cam. I am not an expert but have built a few Twin Cams, all without any gasket between the front cover halves. I have use hylomar, RTV, and Permatex sealants, with personal best results coming from a fairly thin smear of RTV on very clean and true mating surfaces. Others may weigh in with still better sealing methods, but I'm confident the gasket is incorrect for this application.

Steve

[CBUEB1771]

I am in the process of putting this thing back together finally and have a few questions about the gasket that is fitted between the two covers.

Steve is correct, there is no gasket between the front and rear timing chest castings. Use Hylomar or a similar sealant.

[MickG]

Just finished rebuilding my twin cam and as previously pointed out there is no gasket. Use RTV between the metal to metal surfaces and torque up the bolts correctly.
Mick G

[Hawksfield]

All

This is a joke surely

[miked]

Actually, Brian Buckland mentions making and fitting a gasket here.

Having had leaks from here in the past, I have done it. Carefully cut out the two side pieces and then the one around the pump. This twin cam is the most leak free I one I have ever had. The paper enables a proper seal. I only used thin gasket paper and Welseal on the faces, but used proper automotive silcone on the bolt holes. I have no drips and leaks after about 2500 miles. Whilst against convention, I think it is a good Idea and works. Somebody will likely want to RIP me for it but with the thickness of the paper and the tolerance of the pump bits etc, I see no reason why not. Just done 1400 Miles on the Leman trip and a good wizz on the circuit. No problems, In that quarter. Also done track car that is still in build. Not run yet.

Mike

[types26/36]

As said Lotus never fitted gaskets to the front of the cover only to the backplate, most cases and back plates are 40+ years old and have been bashed about so I always make up gaskets for the front and use the lotus backplate gasket.
If using a jointing compound on the backplate gasket you should not use to much around the hole that feeds the timing chain or it can become blocked.
The three are the gaskets I make up and use the Lotus backplate gasket, I seldom have oil leaks from this area.

[tvacc]

I have just had to take apart my Twin Cam as I was getting leak of anti-freeze between the backplate and the block on the generator side of the motor.
I have not put it back together jet. Can I just use RTV or something else?

I do not have any gaskets. Where is the hole that feeds the timing chain?

[ardee_selby]

Where is the hole that feeds the timing chain?

Here's a comprehensive answer, with pics, from Brian:

elan-f15/timing-chain-lubrication-t20362.html

Cheers Richard

[singerv]

Hawksfied, exactly why is this a joke??

I ordered a gasket set and this gasket which clearly lines up with water pump, but to me doesn't look right and is a little contradictory to the book so I asked a question. I am not familiar with the crossflow engine so am not sure if this gasket is right for it but all other gaskets line up and are correct, so I had no reason to question but it just didn't look right and thought I would go to the more experienced.

To those who offered help thanks, still a little hesitant to put together without a gasket, home-made I guess, because as noted sometimes the case is old and battered which pretty much describes mine as per the pic.

Also a good idea is to run a wire through the oil "hole" to ensure that it is clear before reassembly.

thanks for the help,

Vince